Jar with grey-green celadon glaze; top half of vessel is filled with an assortment of figures, birds, and architectural elements in a tiered arrangement.

Subject Matter

This "hunping," or funerary urn, with celadon glaze covering the body possesses an assortment of figures and architecture in a tiered arrangement. The hunping reflects the southern tradition of "burial of the summoned soul." Placed in a tomb together with armrests, banqueting tables, food, and drink, it was hoped that the soul of the deceased would return to reside in the urn, entering, in this particular case, through the gate that appears to lead directly into the vessel. The auspicious birds and figures represent mystical entities that could guide the soul to be reborn in paradise.